Holiday World donated close to 1,300 tickets to JDRF for today’s event; those tickets were “earned” by individuals, families, and teams who raised donations for the Walk. Shelley Kirk from Fifth Third Bank served as emcee for the Walk’s opening ceremony.

Holiday World has helped raise more than $2.5 million for JDRF since the park’s late president, Will Koch – who was diabetic, started the event in 2006. Koch’s widow, Lori, and older daughter, Lauren, were on hand this morning to thank the walkers.